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HISTORY OF THE MONTICELLO SOUTHERN BAPTIST MISSION

May, 8, 1960

After much prayer of both our people and those in surrounding churches for a Southern Baptist Church in Monticello, the Superintendent of Missions of the East Central Illinois Baptist Association was contacted, and he, Brother A.G. Rednour, came to see the advisability of organizing a new work here. Brother Rednour was helped by two summer workers, David Hadley and Delbert Ballard.

The first meeting of the group was held on Aug. 7, 1958 in the home of Brother Lyle Moreland with five (5) present. The second meeting was held in the home of Brother Otha Roy on Aug. 12, 1958 with twelve (12) present. It was agreed to meet in the rear of Brother Moreland’s Barber Shop until a location could be obtained. At each meeting an offering was taken so the Mission might be prepared to lease a place to meet should one be located. In Sept. of 1958 the group leased Kratz Hall on the second floor of the State Bank Building, for its meeting place. Subsidy was received from the Home Mission Board for rent in those early months. The Bement Baptist Church has supported the Mission and a most wonderful fellowship has existed between the Mother Church and the Mission.

The Mission group has supported both the cooperative program and the East Central Illinois Baptist Association with a total of 10% of its receipts. In December 1958 Brother Robert L. Anderson was called as the Mission Pastor.

Since the beginning, this group, which had five in it’s [sic] first meeting, has grown to a membership of 26 and a total of 41 people have been members of this Mission. 25 have joined by letter, one by statement of faith, and 15 by baptism, and two more are waiting for Baptism at this time.

Except for the subsidy received from the Home Mission Board for the first 6 months rent, the group has been entirely self-supporting. The Mission never once operated in the “red” and at the present time has a sizeable building fund.

This Mission is being organized into a church today because of “Faith, Hope and Love” and because “The people had a mind to work.” Neh. 4:6

(No author credited)